Janie's Experience Hendrix company filed suit against Leon's Electric Hendrix for its use of Jimi's likeness, signature and the slogan "A Jimi Hendrix Family Company" to promote Jimi Hendrix Electric Vodka. The vodka comes in a purple bottle, evoking the Jimi Hendrix hit, "Purple Haze."

Janie's attorney, John Wilson Jr., told Zilly that those elements are trademarks belonging to her company and that such use is an illegal infringement.

But lawyer W. Mack Webner, representing Leon, took issue with Wilson arguing that Experience Hendrix only owns a piece of the Hendrix legacy, not all of it.

The case hinges on arcane and complex interpretations of law, including factors such as whether the likeness, signature and slogan used to promote the vodka are intentionally similar to those used by Experience Hendrix and whether consumers would be confused over which company was selling the liquor.

Outside the courtroom, Leon said: "I am the patriarch of the Hendrix family. Janie, my adopted sister, doesn't give the Hendrix family any money out of the millions they make.

"I've got family out on Rainier that Jimi loved -- that raised me and Jimi, and they don't get nothing."